Method and device for switching environment picture

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a method and device for managing a virtual environment. The method includes displaying a virtual environment image via a device; measuring an acceleration of the device via an acceleration sensor; comparing a variation of the acceleration to a variation threshold; determining whether the variation of the acceleration is greater than the variation threshold; when the variation of the acceleration is greater than the variation threshold, transmitting a first request for a real environment image to a terminal that is configured to capture the real environment image via a camera in response to the first request; receiving the real environment image from the terminal; and displaying the real environment image instead of the virtual environment image via the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is filed based upon and claims priority to ChinesePatent Application Serial No. CN 201610855556.8, filed with the StateIntellectual Property Office of P. R. China on Sep. 27, 2016, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field ofvirtual reality, and more particularly, to a method and device forswitching an environment picture.

BACKGROUND

A virtual reality technology is a technology for simulating a virtualenvironment to simulate a perceptive function for a user by way ofvirtual reality equipment, and by the virtual reality technology. Theuser may participate in the virtual environment to obtain an immersiveexperience by completely utilizing his/her own vision, hearing, touchsmell and body, a gesture, a command, or the like.

Virtual reality equipment usually consists of terminal equipment andsensing equipment. The terminal equipment provides a virtual environmentpicture for the sensing equipment. The sensing equipment generates avirtual environment and displays the virtual environment picture in thevirtual environment. A user may enter the virtual environment and viewthe virtual environment picture after wearing the sensing equipment.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of aspects of thepresent disclosure in a simplified form that are further described belowin the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identifykey features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor isit intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for managing a virtualenvironment. The method includes displaying a virtual environment imagevia a device; measuring an acceleration of the device via anacceleration sensor; comparing a variation of the acceleration to avariation threshold; determining whether the variation of theacceleration is greater than the variation threshold; when the variationof the acceleration is greater than the variation threshold,transmitting a first request for a real environment image to a terminalthat is configured to capture the real environment image via a camera inresponse to the first request; receiving the real environment image fromthe terminal; and displaying the real environment image instead of thevirtual environment image via the device.

The method also includes measuring a distance between the device and auser via a distance sensor; determining whether the distance is lessthan a distance threshold; and when the variation of the acceleration isgreater than the variation threshold and the distance is less than thedistance threshold, transmitting the first request for the realenvironment image to the terminal.

The method also includes detecting a recovery operation of the userwhile the real environment image is displayed via the device;transmitting a second request for the virtual environment image to theterminal; receiving the virtual environment image from the terminal; anddisplaying the virtual environment image instead of the real environmentimage via the device.

Aspects of the disclosure also provide a device for managing a virtualenvironment. The device includes a processor and a memory configured tostore instructions executable by the processor. The processor isconfigured to display a virtual environment image via a device; measurean acceleration of the device via an acceleration sensor; compare avariation of the acceleration to a variation threshold; determinewhether the variation of the acceleration is greater than the variationthreshold; when the variation of the acceleration is greater than thevariation threshold, transmit a first request for a real environmentimage to a terminal that is configured to capture the real environmentimage via a camera in response to the first request; receive the realenvironment image from the terminal; and display the real environmentimage instead of the virtual environment image via the device.

The processor is also configured to measure a distance between thedevice and a user via a distance sensor; determine whether the distanceis less than a distance threshold; and when the variation of theacceleration is greater than the variation threshold and the distance isless than the distance threshold, transmit the first request for thereal environment image to the terminal.

The processor is also configured to detect a recovery operation of theuser while the real environment image is displayed via the device;transmit a second request for the virtual environment image to theterminal; receive the virtual environment image from the terminal; anddisplay the virtual environment image instead of the real environmentimage via the device.

Aspects of the disclosure also provide a device for managing a virtualenvironment. The device includes a processor and a memory configured tostore instructions executable by the processor. The processor isconfigured to receive a first request for a real environment image froma device that is configured to transmit the first request upon adetermination that a variation of a measured acceleration of the deviceis greater than a variation threshold; capture the real environmentimage via a camera in response to the first request; and transmit thereal environment image to the device that is further configured todisplay the real environment image instead of a virtual environmentimage upon receipt of the real environment image.

The processor is also configured to store the virtual environment imagein response to receiving the first request; receive a second request forthe virtual environment image from the device; retrieve the virtualenvironment image from storage in response to receiving the secondrequest; and transmit the virtual environment image to the device thatis further configured to display the virtual environment image insteadof the real environment image upon receipt of the virtual environmentimage.

The processor is also configured to store the virtual environment imagein response to receiving the first request; detect a deactivation of thecamera; retrieve the virtual environment image from storage in responseto the deactivation of the camera; and transmit the virtual environmentimage to the device that is further configured to display the virtualenvironment image instead of the real environment image upon receipt ofthe virtual environment image.

Aspects of the disclosure also provide a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions.When the instructions are executed by one or more processors of adevice, they cause the device to display a virtual environment image viathe device; measure an acceleration of the device via an accelerationsensor; compare a variation of the acceleration to a variationthreshold; determine whether the variation of the acceleration isgreater than the variation threshold; when the variation of theacceleration is greater than the variation threshold, transmit a firstrequest for a real environment image to a terminal that is configured tocapture the real environment image via a camera in response to the firstrequest; receive the real environment image from the terminal; anddisplay the real environment image instead of the virtual environmentimage via the device.

It is to be understood that the above general description and thedetailed description below are only exemplary and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate aspects consistent with thepresent disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explainthe principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of architecture of virtual realityequipment, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for switching an environmentpicture, according to another exemplary aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a device for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a device for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a device for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a device for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

The specific aspects of the present disclosure, which have beenillustrated by the accompanying drawings described above, will bedescribed in detail below. These accompanying drawings and descriptionare not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in anymanner, but to explain the concept of the present disclosure to thoseskilled in the art via referencing specific aspects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The followingdescription refers to the accompanying drawings in which the samenumbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elementsunless otherwise represented. The implementations set forth in thefollowing description of exemplary aspects do not represent allimplementations matched with the present disclosure. Instead, they aremerely examples of apparatuses and methods matched with aspects relatedto the present disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

Certain terms used in the present disclosure are only intended todescribe specific aspects, but are not intended to limit the presentdisclosure. For example, singular form words “a,” “said,” and “the” usedin the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended toinclude plural form, unless otherwise clearly stated. Also, the term“and/or” used herein refers to any or all combinations of one or morelisted related items. The word “if” used here may be interpreted as “atthe moment when . . . ” or “when . . . ” or “in response toconfirmation”.

It is to be noted that although the flowcharts in some exemplary aspectsdescribe each step as a sequenced process, a variety of steps thereinmay be implemented in parallel, concurrently or simultaneously. Inaddition, the sequence of all steps may be re-arranged. When theoperation is completed, the process may be ended, but additional stepsnot included in the accompanying drawings may be executed. The processmay correspond to a method, a function, a regulation, a sub-routine, asub-program and the like.

The aspects of the present disclosure provide a method and device forswitching an environment picture (e.g., image). The present disclosurewill be described below in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of architecture of virtual realityequipment 100, according to an exemplary aspect. As shown in FIG. 1, thevirtual reality equipment 100 at least includes terminal equipment 110and sensing equipment 120.

The terminal equipment 110 provides the sensing equipment 120 withspecific data of an environment picture. The sensing equipment 120displays the environment picture according to the data provided by theterminal equipment 110. When the terminal equipment 110 provides avirtual environment picture for the sensing equipment 120, the sensingequipment 120 displays the virtual environment picture. When theterminal equipment 110 provides a real environment picture for thesensing equipment 120, the sensing equipment 120 displays the realenvironment picture.

In a possible implementation mode, the terminal equipment 110 and thesensing equipment 120 are different pieces of equipment. The terminalequipment 110 and the sensing equipment 120 may be connected through asignal wire or connected through a network to form virtual realityequipment. In another possible implementation mode, the terminalequipment 110 and sensing equipment 120 in the virtual reality equipment100 form an integrated structure. An architecture of the virtual realityequipment 100 is not limited in the aspect.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect. As shown in FIG. 2, themethod for switching an environment picture is applied to sensingequipment shown in FIG. 1, and includes the following steps.

In Step 201, an acceleration of the sensing equipment is acquiredthrough a configured acceleration sensor.

In Step 202, when a variation of the acceleration is larger than apreset variation (e.g., a threshold), a real-environment-picture requestis sent to terminal equipment.

In Step 203, when a real environment picture is received, a currentlydisplayed virtual environment picture is switched to the realenvironment picture.

In the related technology, a user may see no real environment picturebut a virtual environment picture after entering a virtual environmentthrough virtual reality equipment. Once an emergency happens in a realenvironment, the user cannot timely process it. In the aspect, thesensing equipment may switch the virtual environment picture to a realenvironment picture to further, thereby ensuring that the user may seethe real environment picture when the variation of the acceleration islarger than the preset variation.

According to the method provided by the aspect, the acceleration of thesensing equipment is acquired through the sensing equipment, areal-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment whenthe variation of the acceleration is larger than the preset variation.The terminal equipment turns on the camera on the terminal equipmentaccording to the real-environment-picture request, acquires a realenvironment picture, and sends the real environment picture to thesensing equipment. The sensing equipment switches the virtualenvironment picture to a real environment picture. Therefore, when theacceleration greatly varies, the user may be ensured to timely see areal environment picture and know about a real environment to furthertimely process an emergency in the real environment. Safety is thusimproved.

In a possible implementation mode, the step that thereal-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment whenthe variation of the acceleration is larger than the preset variationincludes that:

a distance between the sensing equipment and a user is acquired througha configured distance sensor; and

when the variation of the acceleration is larger than the presetvariation and the distance is smaller than a preset distance, thereal-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment.

In another possible implementation mode, the method further includesthat:

when a preset recovery operation of the user is detected in a virtualenvironment in a process of displaying a real environment picture, avirtual-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment,the terminal equipment being configured to return a virtual environmentpicture; and when the virtual environment picture is received, acurrently displayed real environment picture is switched to the virtualenvironment picture.

All of the above-mentioned optional technical solutions may be freelycombined to form optional aspects of the present disclosure, which willnot be elaborated herein one by one.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect. As shown in FIG. 3, themethod for switching an environment picture is applied to terminalequipment shown in FIG. 1, and includes the following steps.

In Step 301, a real-environment-picture request sent by sensingequipment is received.

In Step 302, a camera of the terminal equipment is turned on accordingto the real-environment-picture request, and a real environment pictureshot by the camera is acquired.

In Step 303, the real environment picture is sent to the sensingequipment.

According to the method provided by the aspect, an acceleration of thesensing equipment is acquired through the sensing equipment, areal-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment whena variation of the acceleration is larger than a preset variation, theterminal equipment turns on the camera on the terminal equipmentaccording to the real-environment-picture request, acquires a realenvironment picture, and sends the real environment picture to thesensing equipment, and the sensing equipment switches a virtualenvironment picture to the real environment picture. Therefore, when theacceleration greatly varies, a user may be ensured to timely see a realenvironment picture and know about a real environment so as to furthertimely process an emergency in the real environment, and safety is thusimproved.

In a possible implementation mode, the method further includes that:

when a virtual-environment-picture request sent by the sensing equipmentis received, a virtual environment picture which is stored when thereal-environment-picture request is received is acquired; and

the virtual environment picture is sent to the sensing equipment, thesensing equipment being configured to switch a currently displayed realenvironment picture to the virtual environment picture.

In another possible implementation mode, the method further includesthat:

when a turning-off operation of a user over the camera is detected, avirtual environment picture which is stored when thereal-environment-picture request is received is acquired; and

the virtual environment picture is sent to the sensing equipment, thesensing equipment being configured to switch a currently displayed realenvironment picture to the virtual environment picture.

All of the above-mentioned optional technical solutions may be freelycombined to form optional aspects of the present disclosure, which willnot be elaborated herein one by one.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect. As shown in FIG. 4, mainentities for interaction in the aspect are sensing equipment andterminal equipment as shown in FIG. 1, and the following steps areincluded.

In Step 401, the sensing equipment acquires an acceleration of thesensing equipment through a configured acceleration sensor.

The sensing equipment may be a virtual reality headset, virtual realityglasses and the like, which is not limited in the aspect. The sensingequipment is configured to provide a virtual environment for a user.After wearing the sensing equipment, the user may enter the virtualenvironment, view a virtual environment picture in the virtualenvironment and execute an operation. The operation in the virtualenvironment may include that the user may produce a movement or triggeran operation on a handle connected with the sensing equipment or producea sound or the like in the virtual environment, which is not limited inthe aspect.

The sensing equipment and the terminal equipment form virtual realityequipment. The terminal equipment may be a computer, a smart phone andthe like, which is not limited in the aspect. The sensing equipment andthe terminal equipment may be connected through a signal wire, or mayalso be connected through a network. Or, the sensing equipment and theterminal equipment may form an integrated structure, which is notlimited in the aspect.

The sensing equipment is also provided with an acceleration sensor. Theacceleration of the sensing equipment may be measured through theacceleration sensor. Since the user may enter a virtual environment onlyafter wearing the sensing equipment, the acceleration of the sensingequipment may be considered as an acceleration of the user. In a processof displaying a virtual environment picture, the sensing equipment mayacquire the acceleration of the user through the acceleration sensor andknow about a current state of the user according to a variation of theacceleration, thereby executing a corresponding response operation.

In Step 402, when a variation of the acceleration is larger than apreset variation, the sensing equipment sends a real-environment-picturerequest to the terminal equipment.

When the variation of the acceleration is larger than the presetvariation, it is indicated that the acceleration of the sensingequipment excessively varies and it is probable that the user suddenlysquats down or suddenly falls down, that is, an emergency happens to theuser. In order to timely process such an emergency, the sensingequipment sends a real-environment-picture request to the terminalequipment to request for displaying a real environment picture.

When the variation of the acceleration is not larger than the presetvariation, it is indicated that the acceleration of the sensingequipment does not greatly vary, that is, the current state of the useris normal, and no emergency such as sudden squatting down and suddenfalling down happens. Therefore, the sensing equipment is not needed todisplay the real environment picture, but continues displaying thecurrent virtual environment picture.

The preset variation may be determined according to a variation of anacceleration when a common person suddenly squats down or suddenly fallsdown, which is not limited in the aspect.

Upon the determination of whether the variation of the acceleration islarger than the preset variation or not, switching to the realenvironment picture can be timely implemented when an emergency islikely to happen to the user. Safety is thus improved.

The sensing equipment may also be configured with a distance sensor, andthe distance sensor is configured to measure a distance between the userand the sensing equipment. When the distance, measured by the distancesensor, between the user and the sensing equipment is smaller than apreset distance, it is indicated that the user is using the sensingequipment. When the distance, measured by the distance sensor, betweenthe user and the sensing equipment is not smaller than the presetdistance, it is indicated that the user currently does not use thesensing equipment. The preset distance may be determined according to adistance between the user wearing the sensing equipment and the sensingequipment, which is not limited in the aspect.

In a possible implementation mode, when the variation of theacceleration is larger than the preset variation and the distancemeasured by the distance sensor is smaller than the preset distance, itis indicated that the user is using the sensing equipment and theemergency probably happens. The sensing equipment sends areal-environment-picture request to the terminal equipment to requestfor displaying a real environment picture to further enable the user tosee the real environment picture.

In another possible implementation mode, when the variation of theacceleration is not larger than the preset variation, or, when thedistance is not smaller than the preset distance, the sensing equipmentcontinues displaying the current virtual environment picture without anyother operation.

When no emergency happens to the user, no matter whether the user wearsthe sensing equipment or not, a virtual environment picture may becontinued to be displayed, while a real environment picture is notneeded to be displayed. When the user does not wear the sensingequipment, the real environment may be directly seen, and at thismoment, even though the emergency happens to the user, the sensingequipment is not needed to display the real environment picture.Therefore, when the variation of the acceleration is not larger than thepreset variation, or, when the distance is not smaller than the presetdistance, the sensing equipment continues displaying the current virtualenvironment picture.

In Step 403, the terminal equipment receives thereal-environment-picture request from the sensing equipment, and turnson a camera of the terminal equipment.

In Step 404, the terminal equipment acquires a real environment pictureshot by the camera, and sends the real environment picture to thesensing equipment.

In the aspect, the terminal equipment provides an environment picturefor the sensing equipment, so that the sensing equipment sends areal-environment-picture request to the terminal equipment when thesensing equipment is needed to display a real environment picture. Sincethe camera of the terminal equipment is in an off state in the processof displaying a virtual environment picture by the sensing equipment,the terminal equipment, when receiving the real-environment-picturerequest, may turn on the camera at first, shoot a real environmentthrough the camera to acquire a real environment picture, and then sendsthe real environment picture to the sensing equipment, and then thesensing equipment displays the real environment picture.

In a possible implementation mode, the terminal equipment may beconfigured with a front camera and a rear camera. When receiving thereal-environment-picture request, the terminal equipment may shoot areal environment through the front camera, or may also shoot a realenvironment through the rear camera. The specific camera which isadopted may be determined by the terminal equipment as a default or maybe preset by the user, which is not limited in the aspect.

In Step 405, when receiving the real environment picture, the sensingequipment switches a currently displayed virtual environment picture tothe real environment picture.

When the terminal equipment sends the real environment picture to thesensing equipment, the sensing equipment cancels a currently displayedvirtual environment picture, and displays the real environment picture.At this moment, the user may view the real environment picture, knowabout the real environment and timely judge and process the emergency inthe real environment, so that an adverse consequence caused by anincapability of seeing the real environment is avoided. Safety is thusimproved.

In Step 406, when a preset recovery operation of a user is detected in avirtual environment in a process of displaying a real environmentpicture, the sensing equipment sends a virtual-environment-picturerequest to the terminal equipment.

The preset recovery operation is configured to indicate recovery from acurrent real environment picture to a virtual environment picture, whichmay be a clicking operation over a recovery option provided in thevirtual environment or an operation of producing a recovery indicationsound or the like, which is not limited in the aspect. The user maytrigger the preset recovery operation to control the sensing equipmentto re-display the original virtual environment picture.

That is, when the user triggers the preset recovery operation, thesensing equipment detects the preset recovery operation to send avirtual-environment-picture request to the terminal equipment to requestfor displaying a virtual environment picture.

In the aspect, after the virtual environment picture is quitted, theuser may trigger the preset recovery operation when completingprocessing the emergency and being expected to recover the virtualenvironment picture. Flexibility is high, and a requirement of the useron two-way switching between a virtual environment picture and a realenvironment picture can be satisfied.

In Step 407, when receiving the virtual-environment-picture request fromthe sensing equipment, the terminal equipment acquires a virtualenvironment picture which is stored when the real-environment-picturerequest is received.

In Step 408, the terminal equipment sends the virtual environmentpicture to the sensing equipment.

In Step 409, when receiving the virtual environment picture, the sensingequipment switches a currently displayed real environment picture to thevirtual environment picture.

In the aspect, in Step 403, when receiving the real-environment-picturerequest, the terminal equipment not only sends the shot real environmentpicture to the sensing equipment, but also may store a virtualenvironment picture at this moment, so that the virtual environmentpicture may be subsequently recovered and displayed.

Therefore, in the process of displaying a real environment picture bythe sensing equipment, when receiving a virtual-environment-picturerequest, the terminal equipment extracts the stored virtual environmentpicture and sends it to the sensing equipment. In addition, the camerawhich has been turned on may also be turned off not to shoot the realenvironment picture any longer.

It is to note that Steps 406-408 are described with recovering of avirtual environment picture according to the preset recovery operationtriggered by the user as an example. In another possible implementationmode, when being expected to recover the original virtual environmentpicture, the user may manually turn off the camera, and the camera willnot shoot a real environment any longer after being turned off. Whendetecting a turning-off operation of the user over the camera, theterminal equipment acquires a virtual environment picture which isstored when the real-environment-picture request is received, and sendsthe virtual environment picture to the sensing equipment, and thesensing equipment displays the virtual environment picture.

In another example provided by the aspect, the terminal equipment mayhave not stored a virtual environment picture before. Then, when theuser triggers the preset recovery operation or the turning-off operationover the camera, the terminal equipment may re-determine and send to thesensing equipment a virtual environment picture to be displayed for thesensing equipment to display. The re-displayed virtual environmentpicture may be a virtual environment picture selected by the user or avirtual environment picture to be displayed by the terminal equipment asa default, or the like, which is not limited in the aspect.

According to the method provided by the aspect, the acceleration of thesensing equipment is acquired through the sensing equipment, areal-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment whenthe variation of the acceleration is larger than the preset variation,the terminal equipment turns on the camera on the terminal equipmentaccording to the real-environment-picture request, acquires a realenvironment picture, and sends the real environment picture to thesensing equipment, and the sensing equipment switches the virtualenvironment picture to the real environment picture. Therefore, when theacceleration greatly varies, the user may be ensured to timely see thereal environment picture and know about the real environment to furthertimely process the emergency in the real environment, and the safety isimproved. In addition, when completing processing the emergency in thereal environment, the user may trigger the preset recovery operation tore-view the virtual environment picture. The flexibility is high, andthe requirement of the user on two-way switching between a virtualenvironment picture and a real environment picture is met.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a device for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect. Referring to FIG. 5, thedevice includes an acquisition module 501, a sending module 502 and aswitching module 503.

The acquisition module 501 is configured to acquire an acceleration ofsensing equipment through a configured acceleration sensor.

The sending module 502 is configured to, when a variation of theacceleration is larger than a preset variation, send areal-environment-picture request to terminal equipment, the terminalequipment being configured to turn on a camera of the terminal equipmentand return a real environment picture shot by the camera.

The switching module 503 is configured to, when the real environmentpicture is received, switch a currently displayed virtual environmentpicture to the real environment picture.

According to the device provided by the aspect, the acceleration of thesensing equipment is acquired through the sensing equipment, areal-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment whenthe variation of the acceleration is larger than the preset variation,the terminal equipment turns on the camera on the terminal equipmentaccording to the real-environment-picture request, acquires a realenvironment picture, and sends the real environment picture to thesensing equipment, and the sensing equipment switches a virtualenvironment picture to the real environment picture. Therefore, when theacceleration greatly varies, a user may be ensured to timely see thereal environment picture and know about a real environment to furthertimely process an emergency in the real environment, and safety is thusimproved.

In a possible implementation mode, the sending module 502 is furtherconfigured to acquire a distance between the sensing equipment and auser through a configured distance sensor, and when the variation of theacceleration is larger than the preset variation and the distance issmaller than a preset distance, send the real-environment-picturerequest to the terminal equipment.

In another possible implementation mode, the sending module 502 isfurther configured to, when a preset recovery operation of the user isdetected in a virtual environment in a process of displaying a realenvironment picture, send a virtual-environment-picture request to theterminal equipment, the terminal equipment being configured to return avirtual environment picture; and

the switching module 503 is further configured to, when the virtualenvironment picture is received, switch a currently displayed realenvironment picture to the virtual environment picture.

All of the above-mentioned optional technical solutions may be freelycombined to form optional aspects of the present disclosure, which willnot be elaborated herein one by one.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a device for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect. Referring to FIG. 6, thedevice includes a receiving module 601, a processing module 602 and asending module 603.

The receiving module 601 is configured to receive areal-environment-picture request sent by sensing equipment, thereal-environment-picture request being sent by the sensing equipmentwhen it is determined that a variation of an acceleration is larger thana preset variation.

The processing module 602 is configured to turn on a camera of terminalequipment according to the real-environment-picture request, and acquirea real environment picture shot by the camera.

The sending module 603 is configured to send the real environmentpicture to the sensing equipment, the sensing equipment being configuredto switch a currently displayed virtual environment picture to the realenvironment picture.

According to the device provided by the aspect, the acceleration of thesensing equipment is acquired through the sensing equipment, thereal-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment whenthe variation of the acceleration is larger than the preset variation,the terminal equipment turns on the camera on the terminal equipmentaccording to the real-environment-picture request, acquires a realenvironment picture, and sends the real environment picture to thesensing equipment, and the sensing equipment switches a virtualenvironment picture to the real environment picture. Therefore, when theacceleration greatly varies, a user may be ensured to timely see thereal environment picture and know about a real environment to furthertimely process an emergency in the real environment, and safety is thusimproved.

Referring to FIG. 7, in a possible implementation mode, the devicefurther includes an acquisition module 604.

The acquisition module 604 is configured to, when avirtual-environment-picture request sent by the sensing equipment isreceived, acquire a virtual environment picture which is stored when thereal-environment-picture request is received; and

the sending module 603 is further configured to send the virtualenvironment picture to the sensing equipment, the sensing equipmentbeing configured to switch a currently displayed real environmentpicture to the virtual environment picture.

In another possible implementation mode, the acquisition module 604 isfurther configured to, when a turning-off operation of a user over thecamera is detected, acquire a virtual environment picture which isstored when the real-environment-picture request is received; and

the sending module 603 is further configured to send the virtualenvironment picture to the sensing equipment, the sensing equipmentbeing configured to switch a currently displayed real environmentpicture to the virtual environment picture.

With respect to the devices in the above aspects, the specific mannersfor performing operations for individual modules therein have beendescribed in detail in the aspects regarding the method, which will notbe elaborated herein.

It is to note that: when switching an environment picture, the devicesfor switching an environment picture provided by the aspects are onlydescribed with division of each of the above-mentioned function modulesas an example. In a practical application, the above-mentioned functionsmay be allocated to different function modules for realization accordingto a requirement, that is, internal structures of the sensing equipmentand the terminal equipment are divided into different function modulesto realize all or part of the above-mentioned functions. In addition,the devices for switching an environment picture provided by the aspectsbelong to the same concept as the method aspects for switching anenvironment picture, and details about its specific implementationprocess may refer to the method aspects, and will not be elaboratedherein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a device 800 for switching an environmentpicture, according to an exemplary aspect. For example, the device 800may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, amessaging device, a gaming console, a tablet, a medical device, exerciseequipment, a personal digital assistant and the like.

Referring to FIG. 8, the device 800 may include at least one of thefollowing components: a processing component 802, a memory 804, a powercomponent 806, a multimedia component 808, an audio component 810, anInput/Output (I/O) interface 812, a sensor component 814, and acommunication component 816.

The processing component 802 typically controls overall operations ofthe device 800, such as the operations associated with display,telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recordingoperations. The processing component 802 may include at least oneprocessor 820 to execute instructions to perform all or part of thesteps in the above-mentioned method. Moreover, the processing component802 may include at least one module which facilitates interactionbetween the processing component 802 and other components. For instance,the processing component 802 may include a multimedia module tofacilitate interaction between the multimedia component 808 and theprocessing component 802.

The memory 804 is configured to store various types of data to supportthe operation of the device 800. Examples of such data includeinstructions for any application programs or methods operated on thedevice 800, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, video,etc. The memory 804 may be implemented by any type of volatile ornon-volatile memory devices, or a combination thereof, such as a StaticRandom Access Memory (SRAM), an Electrically Erasable ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EEPROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory(EPROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), a Read-Only Memory(ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, a magnetic or optical disk.

The power component 806 provides power for various components of thedevice 800. The power component 806 may include a power managementsystem, one or more power supplies, and other components associated withthe generation, management and distribution of power for the device 800.

The multimedia component 808 includes a screen providing an outputinterface between the device 800 and a user. In some aspects, the screenmay include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Touch Panel (TP). Ifthe screen includes the TP, the screen may be implemented as a touchscreen to receive an input signal from the user. The TP includes one ormore touch sensors to sense touches, swipes and gestures on the TP. Thetouch sensors may not only sense a boundary of a touch or swipe action,but also detect a duration and pressure associated with the touch orswipe action. In some aspects, the multimedia component 808 includes afront camera and/or a rear camera. The front camera and/or the rearcamera may receive external multimedia data when the device 800 is in anoperation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each ofthe front camera and the rear camera may be a fixed optical lens systemor have focusing and optical zooming capabilities.

The audio component 810 is configured to output and/or input an audiosignal. For example, the audio component 810 includes a Microphone(MIC), and the MIC is configured to receive an external audio signalwhen the device 800 is in the operation mode, such as a call mode, arecording mode and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signalmay be further stored in the memory 804 or sent through thecommunication component 816. In some aspects, the audio component 810further includes a speaker configured to output the audio signal.

The I/O interface 812 provides an interface between the processingcomponent 802 and a peripheral interface module, and the peripheralinterface module may be a keyboard, a click wheel, a button and thelike. The button may include, but are not limited to: a home button, avolume button, a starting button and a locking button.

The sensor component 814 includes one or more sensors configured toprovide status assessment in various aspects for the device 800. Forinstance, the sensor component 814 may detect an on/off status of thedevice 800 and relative positioning of components, such as a display andsmall keyboard of the device 800, and the sensor component 814 mayfurther detect a change in a position of the device 800 or a componentof the device 800, presence or absence of contact between the user andthe device 800, orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the device800 and a change in temperature of the device 800. The sensor component814 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect presence of anobject nearby without any physical contact. The sensor component 814 mayalso include a light sensor, such as a Complementary Metal OxideSemiconductor (CMOS) or Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor,configured for use in an imaging application. In some aspects, thesensor component 814 may also include an acceleration sensor, agyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor or a temperaturesensor.

The communication component 816 is configured to facilitate wired orwireless communication between the device 800 and other device. Thedevice 800 may access a communication-standard-based wireless network,such as a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) network, a 2nd-Generation (2G) or3rd-Generation (3G) network or a combination thereof. In an exemplaryaspect, the communication component 816 receives a broadcast signal orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managementsystem through a broadcast channel. In an exemplary aspect, thecommunication component 816 further includes a Near Field Communication(NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, theNFC module may be implemented on the basis of a Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) technology, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA)technology, an Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology, a Bluetooth (BT)technology and another technology.

In an exemplary aspect, the device 800 may be implemented by one or moreApplication Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital SignalProcessors (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs),Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors or otherelectronic components, and is configured to execute the above-mentionedmethod.

In an exemplary aspect, there is also provided a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as thememory 804 including instructions. The instructions may be executed bythe processor 820 of the device 800 to implement the above-mentionedmethods. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium may be a ROM, a Radom Access Memory (RAM), a Compact DiscRead-Only Memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an opticaldata storage device and the like.

According to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium,instructions in the storage medium is executed by a processor of sensingequipment to enable the sensing equipment to execute a method forswitching an environment picture, the method including that:

an acceleration of the sensing equipment is acquired through aconfigured acceleration sensor;

when a variation of the acceleration is larger than a preset variation,a real-environment-picture request is sent to terminal equipment, theterminal equipment being configured to turn on a camera of the terminalequipment and return a real environment picture shot by the camera; and

when the real environment picture is received, a currently displayedvirtual environment picture is switched to the real environment picture.

In a possible implementation mode, the step that thereal-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment whenthe variation of the acceleration is larger than the preset variationincludes that:

a distance between the sensing equipment and a user is acquired througha configured distance sensor; and

when the variation of the acceleration is larger than the presetvariation and the distance is smaller than a preset distance, thereal-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment.

In another possible implementation mode, the method further includesthat:

when a preset recovery operation of the user is detected in a virtualenvironment in a process of displaying a real environment picture, avirtual-environment-picture request is sent to the terminal equipment,the terminal equipment being configured to return a virtual environmentpicture; and

when the virtual environment picture is received, a currently displayedreal environment picture is switched to the virtual environment picture.

According to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium,instructions in the storage medium is executed by a processor ofterminal equipment to enable the terminal equipment to execute a methodfor switching an environment picture, the method including that:

a real-environment-picture request sent by sensing equipment isreceived, wherein the real-environment-picture request is sent by thesensing equipment when it is determined that a variation of anacceleration is larger than a preset variation;

a camera of the terminal equipment is turned on according to thereal-environment-picture request, and a real environment picture shot bythe camera is acquired; and

the real environment picture is sent to the sensing equipment, thesensing equipment being configured to switch a currently displayedvirtual environment picture to the real environment picture.

In a possible implementation mode, the method further includes that:

when a virtual-environment-picture request sent by the sensing equipmentis received, a virtual environment picture which is stored when thereal-environment-picture request is received is acquired; and

the virtual environment picture is sent to the sensing equipment, thesensing equipment being configured to switch a currently displayed realenvironment picture to the virtual environment picture.

In another possible implementation mode, the method further includesthat:

when a turning-off operation of a user over the camera is detected, avirtual environment picture which is stored when thereal-environment-picture request is received is acquired; and

the virtual environment picture is sent to the sensing equipment, thesensing equipment being configured to switch a currently displayed realenvironment picture to the virtual environment picture.

It is noted that the various modules, sub-modules, units, and componentsin the present disclosure can be implemented using any suitabletechnology. For example, a module may be implemented using circuitry,such as an integrated circuit (IC). As another example, a module may beimplemented as a processing circuit executing software instructions.

Other aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure following thegeneral principles thereof and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in theart. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered asexemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the present disclosurebeing indicated by the following claims.

It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to theexact construction that has been described above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes may bemade without departing from the scope thereof. It is intended that thescope of the present disclosure only be limited by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for managing a virtual environment,comprising: displaying a virtual environment image via a device;measuring an acceleration of the device via an acceleration sensor;comparing a variation of the acceleration to a variation threshold;determining whether the variation of the acceleration is greater thanthe variation threshold; when the variation of the acceleration isgreater than the variation threshold, transmitting a first request for areal environment image to a terminal that is configured to capture thereal environment image via a camera in response to the first request;receiving the real environment image from the terminal; and displayingthe real environment image instead of the virtual environment image viathe device.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: measuring adistance between the device and a user via a distance sensor;determining whether the distance is less than a distance threshold; andwhen the variation of the acceleration is greater than the variationthreshold and the distance is less than the distance threshold,transmitting the first request for the real environment image to theterminal.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting arecovery operation of the user while the real environment image isdisplayed via the device; transmitting a second request for the virtualenvironment image to the terminal; receiving the virtual environmentimage from the terminal; and displaying the virtual environment imageinstead of the real environment image via the device.
 4. A device formanaging a virtual environment, comprising: a processor; and a memoryconfigured to store instructions executable by the processor, whereinthe processor is configured to: display a virtual environment image viaa device; measure an acceleration of the device via an accelerationsensor; compare a variation of the acceleration to a variationthreshold; determine whether the variation of the acceleration isgreater than the variation threshold; when the variation of theacceleration is greater than the variation threshold, transmit a firstrequest for a real environment image to a terminal that is configured tocapture the real environment image via a camera in response to the firstrequest; receive the real environment image from the terminal; anddisplay the real environment image instead of the virtual environmentimage via the device.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: measure a distance between the device and a uservia a distance sensor; determine whether the distance is less than adistance threshold; and when the variation of the acceleration isgreater than the variation threshold and the distance is less than thedistance threshold, transmit the first request for the real environmentimage to the terminal.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein the processoris further configured to: detect a recovery operation of the user whilethe real environment image is displayed via the device; transmit asecond request for the virtual environment image to the terminal;receive the virtual environment image from the terminal; and display thevirtual environment image instead of the real environment image via thedevice.
 7. A device for managing a virtual environment, comprising: aprocessor; and a memory configured to store instructions executable bythe processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a firstrequest for a real environment image from a device that is configured totransmit the first request upon a determination that a variation of ameasured acceleration of the device is greater than a variationthreshold; capture the real environment image via a camera in responseto the first request; and transmit the real environment image to thedevice that is further configured to display the real environment imageinstead of a virtual environment image upon receipt of the realenvironment image.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: store the virtual environment image in responseto receiving the first request; receive a second request for the virtualenvironment image from the device; retrieve the virtual environmentimage from storage in response to receiving the second request; andtransmit the virtual environment image to the device that is furtherconfigured to display the virtual environment image instead of the realenvironment image upon receipt of the virtual environment image.
 9. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to: storethe virtual environment image in response to receiving the firstrequest; detect a deactivation of the camera; retrieve the virtualenvironment image from storage in response to the deactivation of thecamera; and transmit the virtual environment image to the device that isfurther configured to display the virtual environment image instead ofthe real environment image upon receipt of the virtual environmentimage.
 10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingstored therein instructions that, when executed by one or moreprocessors of a device, cause the device to: display a virtualenvironment image via the device; measure an acceleration of the devicevia an acceleration sensor; compare a variation of the acceleration to avariation threshold; determine whether the variation of the accelerationis greater than the variation threshold; when the variation of theacceleration is greater than the variation threshold, transmit a firstrequest for a real environment image to a terminal that is configured tocapture the real environment image via a camera in response to the firstrequest; receive the real environment image from the terminal; anddisplay the real environment image instead of the virtual environmentimage via the device.